# What is this antique clamp-on gadget with crank and pulleys? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 14, 2026, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274 "2026-04-14T17:45:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/1 "2026-04-14T17:45:15Z")
I bought one seemingly almost identical to the one advertised here in this old listing. This contraption has a tapered output shaft. There’s nothing on the output shaft of the one I bought, though there seems to be a black blob on the one in this listing (but it’s dark and blurry enough I can’t make it out much. It’s a pretty little thing. But it’s got my curiosity up. The linked ad is the only thing close that I turned up online, and they don’t state a purpose. > **[Primative Cast Iron Antique Ornate Hand Crank Pulley Run Tool -- Antique...](https://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-3057442/primative-cast-iron-antique-ornate-hand-crank-pulley-run-tool.html)** ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/2 "2026-04-14T17:56:09Z")
Is it a “stop” or “stay”? For a line. I’m thinking clothes line. Just a thought. This being FQ and I have no cites. Just a little knowledge of pulleys. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/3 "2026-04-14T18:05:55Z")
It resembles some antique farm implements for bale handling, there’s a lot of stuff to move in barns. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/4 "2026-04-14T18:08:55Z")
It seems kind of general purpose-y, but I see some listed as a bobbin winder or yarn winder. ETA, you’d attach something like this to it: [![](https://www.plumcottage-crafts.com/images/WinderYarn01.jpg) ](https://www.plumcottage-crafts.com/images/WinderYarn01.jpg) ETA2: Google Image Search “Antique Cast Iron Bobbin Winder” and you’ll see plenty of results showing the same thing as seen in the OP, at least enough that I’m confident that’s what it is. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/5 "2026-04-14T18:26:14Z")
Could it be part of an clothesline strung between buildings, with the line moved over the pulley system (using the crank) for putting washing on and taking it off? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/6 "2026-04-14T18:37:59Z")
Looks like just a generic hand pulley that could have been used for any number of things that required a crank mechanism, like a sewing machine, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/7 "2026-04-14T18:48:41Z")
Exactly what I’m thinking. There was some kinda line it cranked.. There was one on every farmstead that needed a line for wash. I’ve seen them on old barns. I wonder sometimes did they string them up between a house and a barn to feel your way to the barn if you couldn’t see due to natural weather events or darkness. We are having a current conversation in my house. I want to put one up between the house and and tree or post(preferably where I could use it at my deck chair​😏) to have an easily refillable bird feeder. In case I’m too lazy (or unable)to walk out there. Yep. Got the same reaction here… ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/8 "2026-04-14T18:54:09Z")
Some of the clotheslines here > **[A Fine Line: The Art of the Clothesline](https://blog.mcny.org/2012/08/07/a-fine-line-the-art-of-the-clothesline/)** > > Living in New York City, one becomes accustomed to the grey area between public and private space. Intimate details are exposed through the most mundane daily tasks. Laundry is one of those inevita… might have had pulleys fastened with a clamp, and moved with a crank. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/9 "2026-04-14T19:18:28Z")
My wag is that it could be used to apply power to anything that we now power by electricity. A bobbin, a spinning wheel, a table saw, a sewing machine, grinding wheel, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/10 "2026-04-14T19:41:20Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I see some listed as a bobbin winder Joey\_P, you mad genius!! That is EXACTLY what it is! Here’s one of the pix, and it matches mine in every detail I can think of to examine. > **[Vintage Cast Iron Bobbin Winder for Sock Knitting Machine | Cast iron,...](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/antique-cast-iron-bobbin-winder-for-sock-knitting-machine--113997434295042116/)** > > Vintage Cast Iron Bobbin Winder for Sock by OldRedHenVintage ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/11 "2026-04-14T22:41:22Z")
“For sock knitting machine”. Looking at some of the “sock knitting machines”, I suspect that a sock knitting machine that used that might have just used the same winder for the machine and for the bobbin. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/12 "2026-04-17T05:15:54Z")
Its for winding something very easy to wind and you want it to wind fast. so only creating bobbins or reels of a light string/thread. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/13 "2026-04-17T08:58:47Z")
Its a generic winder that transfers big rotary winding action into a fixed turning spindle. Bobbin winding is definitely one possible use, but one of the reason traditional spinners have a foot treadle action is that it frees up two hands to do your spinny business. Obviously this one requires one hand to turn the crank. It was probably made generic and universal enough that it could attach or transfer-connect to a bunch of workshop and domestic industrial devices. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/14 "2026-04-17T12:13:37Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > “For sock knitting machine”. Looking at some of the “sock knitting machines”, I suspect that a sock knitting machine that used that might have just used the same winder for the machine and for the bobbin. There are sock knitting machines in the fabric museums at Lowell, Masachusetts and at the Belknap Mill in Laconia, NH. In fact, the one at the Belknap Mill is “hands on”, and you can crank the handle yourself and watch it automatically knit the sock. It’s pretty impressive. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/15 "2026-04-17T17:18:58Z")
Based on this photo, I’d guess it is a dedicated bobbin loader. [ANTIQUE GEARHART SOCK KNITTING MACHINE CLEARFIELD PA / ACCESSORIES | #3833407610](https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-gearhart-sock-knitting-3833407610) ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-antique-clamp-on-gadget-with-crank-and-pulleys/1029274/16 "2026-04-18T16:29:10Z")
> [@outlierrn](#): > > Based on this photo Down to the finest detail, my device looks exactly like the item in your linked photos, with two pulleys and a wooden handle. Except mine had no belt – but I bought an O-ring that does the job.